Here’s the star of Honda’s 2014 Indonesian International Motor Show stand, the Honda HR-V. Making its regional debut in Jakarta, the B-segment SUV is now open for bookings, with local production in Indonesia starting in January 2015.

If you’re wondering about the ‘prototype’ in the name, the white and blue cars seen here are Indonesian-made prototypes, with exteriors that are pretty much confirmed, we were told. Interior trim and spec are not finalised yet, which is why no interior pics were allowed.

Still, we have some information on what could be the “ASEAN-spec HR-V”, should markets like Malaysia and Thailand mirror the Indonesian car, which is likely.

Two engines will be offered in the Republic, a 120 PS/145 Nm 1.5 litre from the City and Jazz, and a 1.8 litre pushing 139 PS and 169 Nm. Both four-cylinder SOHC i-VTEC units are paired to a CVT automatic gearbox, but the smaller engine can be had with a five-speed manual as well. Honda normally reserves CVTs for smaller engines, so it’s interesting to see a 1.8 CVT here. New trend?

The HR-V, or Vezel in Japan, sits on the platform that underpins the B-segment City/Jazz duo, but its wheelbase is the longest in the family at 2,610 mm, 10 mm longer than the sedan and 80 mm longer than the hatch. Being an SUV, it’s the tallest too – all versions ride on 17-inch alloys with 215/55 tyres.

Speaking of versions, four grades will be available in Indonesia – 1.5 A, 1.5 S, 1.5 E and 1.8 Prestige. The base A is manual only, the S is available with MT or CVT, while the other two are CVT-only. The white car here is a 1.5, which comes with halogen headlamps and black plastic underlining the body. The blue 1.8’s entire body is in the same colour, and it comes with LED headlamps with DRLs.

Besides the abovementioned exterior differences, the 1.8 Prestige is set apart inside via a panoramic roof and a leather lined interior, as opposed to just leather seats. Safety wise, it adds on side and curtain airbags to make it six in total, plus a reverse camera.

Indonesian estimated pricing starts from 240 juta rupiah (RM64,907) for the base 1.5, rising to 350 juta rupiah (RM94,555) for the 1.8 Prestige. At IIMS, Honda also displayed HR-Vs dressed up by Mugen and Modulo.

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

Looking at Ford’s latest EcoSport, we can expect HRV to be priced around RM 100k region. Surely lower than current CRV and higher than V spec City. As usual, ppl will queue buying HRV….. while complaining vehicles prices are high (bla3x). Sendiri punya poket sendiri suka.

Don’t need to bash-lah, don’t complicate life buy only what is affordable don’t want to seek help from AKPK later, P1 and P2 should be good enough by most Malaysian standard otherwise sit tight be patience bosses will be adjusting salaries upward come 2020.

Not bad. I’m surprised we are getting the 1.8 litre option. As far as I know, most markets globally don’t get this big engine. Mostly are getting the 1.5 litre which is also found in the Jazz/Fit and City. Of course, there was supposed to be a 1.5 turbo motor out too, but guess it was not yet ready for production. Perhaps it might appear in the next gen Civic. Or might the Civic get the 2.0 turbo. Yummy prospect, but highly unlikely. As its most probably meant for the Accord.

Anyways, the 1.8 with CVT is actually not new. The US Civic already has the same engine/transmission combo beginning this year. And I believe the HRV’s engine is basically from the Civic 1.8 as the power & torque figures are similar. So, the HRV is mimicking the US Civic’s drivetrains.

Lower down show your low mentality. . Motorhead is not macai p2.. but since beginning always support jap milo tin… & been fllwing few japs brands for years… full support of P2 simply because of Daihatsu’s. . & making profits. . Not nagging for protection or gov money. .

In fact.. plotong bole bungkus.. & start rebadge Honda’s. .& make profits for the country.. I will support too.. no bias.. keep my words.

Toksah malu2 bungkus & rebadge. . Save the company while you can.. my mood is good today.. I pity tg malim workers. .

& jgn dok sibuk ngutuk org rebadge. . You ll do it soon.. in fact.. you are still doing it.. Inspira & Accordana..

Wake up all malaysian, check car prices in our neighboring countries. Check car brands websites and you’ll be surprised that we are paying more expensive, for example honda oddysey 2.4 in Indonesia is Rm160k compared to Rm250k in Malaysia boleh. Good job BN

Please check the bank loan rates/terms too while you’re at it. Usually car loans are only available for less than 5 years in our neighbors. Or have higher interest rates compared to us. It means that the monthly payment would be more or less the same for us since the banks would want to maintain their revenue stream even if car prices get reduced.

It will be a bitter pill to swallow when car prices are reduced to their actual value. People with 7 or 9 years loan can only look in dismay when they pay the same amount as new cars with 3 or 5 years loan. Not to mention the devaluations that would happen to the used car markets.

yah im agree with u..u must have min 20-30% downpayment, up to 5 yrs n 5-15% interest rate..still not cheap if u ask me..for HRV above monthly u still pay RM1k++ for Indonesian. That not affordable at all. how many boleh people salary below RM3k can own HRV with that amount monthly if we talk about affordability?..affordable on surface is kind of cheap i dont want.

just saw the car today at iims. exterior wise i think it looks good. we are not allowed to see the interior closely. ask the salesman and he said honda is only start delivering HR-V in january. interested in 1.5cvt 280jt. 1.8 is 350 juta add 35juta can get crv. not worth it.

I am only interested in hybrid version which so far only available in Japan. Will Malaysia get a hybrid version? so far, China, Indonesia all not having Hybrid version……
Can’t imagine the petrol price in the future and gov still undecided to slab 6% GST on fuel price yet…sigh!

Poor Malaysian… U al really dun realise how high is malaysia tax…. Nothing lower than 100k for tis car, see honda freed, 1.5 only how much?? Tax for car at least 60k for 1.5 n 80k for 1.8 .. So, just calculate urself… Stupid malaysia to pay such high price for rubbish…

Another future car for Malaysian gone wasted because of the high price tag. I doubt it the HRV will ever go near RM70k. But still a small suv with 1.8L engine paired with CVT plus 6 airbags? If the price is right I’ll take it anytime. In my opinion this will be a direct competitor with the Mitsubishi ASX since the width and length is quite the same.

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